A series of investigations revealed 13 Sonic Drive-Ins in South Carolina violated federal child labor laws — with dozens of young teens affected, officials announced on Aug. 22.
Investigators found 91 minors ages 14 and 15 worked hours that were longer and later than allowed under federal law, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Now two Sonic Drive-In franchisees are ordered to pay thousands of dollars to address the issues, the agency announced in a news release.
This comes after violations involving 36 teens took place at eight Sonic Drive-Ins in Clinton, Gaffney, Greenville, Greenwood, Greer, Laurens and Simpsonville, officials said. These locations are run by Atticus Franchise Group LLC, an Atlanta-based private equity firm in charge of a total of 60 Sonic Drive-Ins.
Additionally, violations involving 55 minors occurred at five restaurants in Columbia, Chapin, Newberry and Sumter, according to officials. These locations are run by 3497 Beaufort Limited Partnership and its parent company, Boom Inc., which also operates Sonic Drive-Ins in North Carolina, Delaware, Georgia, Virginia and Kentucky.
As a result, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has assessed Atticus Franchise Group with a $25,000 civil money penalty and Beaufort and Boom Inc. with a $36,012 civil money penalty, the release said.
“Businesses that employ 14- and 15-year-olds must balance workplace experience with educational opportunities and be aware of the limits on these young...
Unfortunately, Gregg Phillips’ claims that he was twice teleported from one place to another aren’t the biggest problems for this top government official with a long history of shady deals, charit...